In a rain soaked seven inning game, the Belmont Abbey Crusaders came out with a 7-3 win over Coker on Sunday afternoon in Conference Carolinas baseball. The win improves the Crusaders to 13-14 overall, and 6-4 in the conference, while Coker falls to 14-11 overall, and 2-5 in the conference.

The Abbey got things going early with a three run first inning, using a bases-clearing triple by Chris Vazquez. Coker got one back in its half, but Belmont Abbey scored two more in the third. Danny Brion ripped a one out single and came around on a double to right center by Vazquez, who then scored on the next pitch on an opposite field double by Carlos Vasquez.

Coker added another in the fourth and fifth, but a two run Abbey seventh put the game out of reach as it went home with the 7-3 win.

Chris Thomas took the loss, allowing seven runs on nine hits in 6.2 innings on the mound, while Tyler Powell (2-2) earned the win for the Crusaders, tossing a complete game, allowing three runs on 10 hits with seven strikeouts.

Vazquez was 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, four RBIs and a run scored, while Brion was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Carlos Vasquez and Justin Vasquez each had a hit with an RBI for the Crusaders.

Coker and Belmont Abbey will try and finish their three game series on Monday with a doubleheader beginning at noon.